Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has visited Tayside traffic police to hear their views on the future shape of a new 10 year road safety strategy for Scotland. The Minister also took part in a routine traffic patrol to experience at first hand the important work of traffic officers.

Mr Stevenson said that those on the front line of response could provide a unique insight into the tragedies being experienced by too many families across the country.

He said: "The police are the front line. These police officers have a unique insight into road traffic accidents. It is an insight which could help us save lives. That is why I am here today, and that is why the Scottish Government is looking to develop a new 10 year road safety strategy for Scotland.

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"Last week, we saw the Westminster Government consult on plans to change UK-wide legislation on driving and testing. I welcome that. Legislative change can deliver real improvements. But this Scottish Government will also do whatever it can within our own devolved powers to make that difference."

Latest road accidents statistics showed that there were 314 deaths on Scotland's roads in 2006 - 10 % more than in 2005. There were also 14 more child deaths than in 2005.

The Transport Minister recently brought together an expert group on road safety from across Scotland. It is made up of some of the leading thinkers in road safety from across the country, including the police, road safety experts, a driver behaviour psychologist, the Children's Commissioner, and others. The group's remit is to give their views on how to improve road safety in Scotland. Their views will help inform a new 10-year road safety strategy for Scotland.

The Scottish Government is also looking at more innovative ways of improving road safety. Before Christmas it launched a new initiative involving Xbox games in Scotland, beaming anti-drink drive messages directly into the game.

(GK/JM)